Modular Thermal Energy Retention and Transfer System

ABSTRACT

Described is a modular thermal energy transfer system. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes a plurality of modular thermal units, each modular thermal unit having a thermal retainer with a conditioning pipe and a usable fluid pipe disposed therein. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, and the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another. The conditioning pipes are adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the conditioning fluid. The usable fluid pipes are adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the usable fluid. The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to a modular system for collecting and/orgenerating and retaining thermal energy and for transferring the thermalenergy to a usable fluid.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of energy management, energy usage during peak periodsgenerally drives the capital expenditures of energy production andimposes increased economic demand on consumable energy. It will beunderstood that a “peak period” is a time frame within which there is ausual and predictable spike in demand for electricity from a givenelectrical grid. In several applications, increased demand forconsumable energy during peak periods often results in increased costsof energy production, and in certain applications, a shortage ofavailable consumable energy. For example, in the use of thermal energytransfer technology for thermally conditioning ambient fluids such aswater or air, it is generally more difficult and/or more costly to coolambient fluids to a desirable temperature during particularly hotperiods such as the summer, and conversely, it is often more difficultand/or more costly to heat ambient fluids during cold periods such asthe winter, due in part to the increased differences between the ambienttemperature during these periods and the desired temperature for thethermally conditioned fluids. Likewise, due to increased differencesbetween ambient temperature and the desired temperature for thermallyconditioned fluids, it is often more difficult and/or more costly tocool ambient fluids during the relative warmth of the day, andconversely, it is often more difficult to heat such ambient fluidsduring the relative cool of the night. By contrast, during time periodsof non-peak energy usage, more economical thermal conditioning ofambient fluids is possible, thereby allowing a decreased economic demandfor available consumable energy.

As worldwide energy consumption increases, it is desirable to developmore practical and economical methods for utilizing sources of energywhich are intermittently more available during the time periods ofnon-peak energy usage. A number of thermal energy storage devices havebeen developed for gathering and storing energy in a thermal reservoirfor later reuse. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in thefollowing U.S. patents:

Patent/App No. Inventor(s) Issue Date 4,010,731 Harrison Mar. 8, 19774,203,489 Swiadek May 20, 1980 4,234,782 Barbas et al. Nov. 18, 19805,826,650 Keller et al. Oct. 27, 1998 7,222,659 Levin May 29, 2007

Of these patents, the '731 patent issued to Harrison discloses abifurcated, liquid-impervious tank which is built into the ground. Thetank of the Harrison patent contains rocks for use as a heat storagematerial surrounded by water for use as a heat transfer liquid. Waterwhich is heated through a solar collector is circulated through the tankto transfer heat to the heat storage material. Thereafter, the cooledwater is pumped back to the solar collector for reheating. A heatexchanger is mounted at the top of the tank for directing heat from theheat storage material to water and/or air to heat the water and/or airfor domestic use.

In the '489 patent issued to Swiadek, a plurality of metal containersfilled with liquid such as water are provided in a stacked configurationwith spaced apart ducts defined therebetween. Hot air is passed throughthe ducts to transfer heat through the metal container walls to rapidlyheat the liquid in each container. Thereafter, heat in the liquid isslowly and controllably released through a pair of thermally diffusingwalls disposed on opposite outer portions of the container.

Barbas et al., in the '782 patent, disclose a central air heating systemincorporating an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal salt used as aheat storage material. The heat storage material is surrounded by aninner jacket, which is in turn surrounded by an outer jacket such thatthe inner jacket and outer jacked are spaced apart to define an airpassage therebetween. An air flow control device is provided toselectively direct air flow through either the air space between the twojackets or both the air space between the two jackets and through theinner jacket containing the heat storage material.

The '650 patent issued to Keller et al. discloses a plurality ofpermeable concrete blocks forming an exterior wall of a building. Theblocks cooperate to define channels through which air is circulated toheat or cool the blocks during non-peak usage hours.

In the '659 patent issued to Levin, a multistage tower having a systemof flat, rigid containers is provided. Each container is filled with aphase change material adapted to store heat by inducing a phase changeof the phase change material. Heat transfer to and from the phase changematerial is accomplished through a heat transfer fluid within the tower.

Several of the prior art devices are limited in their adaptability tothe need for thermal energy storage devices of various sizes, shapes,and capacities. For example, the thermal energy storage devicesdisclosed in the '731 patent, the '782 patent, the '650 patent, and the'659 patent, as discussed above, each require that the device beconstructed and permanently installed at the site of the intended usageof the device, thus limiting the ability to expand or reduce the sizeand/or capacity of the device following initial installation. Moreover,several of the prior art devices are limited in their ability to be usedfor collection, storage, and dispensation of thermal energy for use inheating and/or cooling both liquid and gas fluids. Consequently, amodular system for collecting and/or supplying and retaining thermalenergy and for transferring the thermal energy to liquid and/or gasfluids is desired.

As worldwide demand for energy continues to increase, renewable sourcesof energy that do not depend on finite fuel sources are desirable.However, many known renewable sources of energy are intermittent and aretherefore not always available coincidentally with the demand forenergy. A particular concern is in the area of solar photovoltaictechnology. In recent years, great advances have been made in the costreduction and performance of photovoltaic energy generators. Severalorganizations throughout the world are currently devoting significantresources to developing photovoltaic technology with the goal ofachieving “grid parity” of a given electrical infrastructure. Thus,there is a need for cost effective energy storage technology in order tostore the energy delivered from the photovoltaic generators. As apercentage of total energy used in a typical home, electrical energy isrelatively small. The majority of energy used by individuals in atypical home is thermal energy, such as energy used to heat water andwarm air. Since photovoltaic systems deliver electrical energy duringthe day, when most electrical energy is consumed, there is less need tostore electrical energy from photovoltaic panels for this purpose.However, in order to allow any significant portion of a home's energyneeds to be supplied by photovoltaic technology, a thermal energystorage system is needed which is capable of storing heat for use in theheating of water and warming of air in a home when solar energy isunavailable.

Another area of concern involves the charging of electric vehicles atresidential homes. In order to recharge an electric vehicle in areasonable time frame, a large amount of electrical energy musttypically be transferred to the vehicle in a short time frame. In asituation in which several electric vehicles are charged simultaneouslyusing a given electrical grid, a very high demand for electricity withinthe grid is produced. Some residential distribution networks are notdesigned to accommodate such large power flows. In such situations, theutility supplying the residential distribution network must typicallymeet these high power demands using another fuel source, such as forexample natural gas fired turbines. Such natural gas fired turbines aretypically extremely inefficient due to the amount of thermal energywasted by the natural gas fired turbines due to the theoretical andpractical limits imposed by the thermodynamic properties of the naturalgas turbines. Thus, a cost effective thermal energy storage technologythat can be coupled with a natural gas generator to conserve wastedenergy of the natural gas generator is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the various features of the present invention thereis provided a modular thermal energy transfer system for collectingand/or supplying thermal energy during a first time frame, for retainingat least a portion of the thermal energy until a second time frame, andfor transferring at least a portion of the thermal energy to a usablefluid during the second time frame. The modular thermal energy transfersystem includes generally a plurality of modular thermal units. Eachmodular thermal unit includes a thermal retainer which defines at leastone through opening, and preferably, a first through opening and asecond through opening. At least one pipe is disposed within the atleast one opening. In one embodiment, a conditioning pipe is disposedwithin the first through opening and a usable fluid pipe is disposedwithin the second through opening. The conditioning pipe is adapted tocarry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer ofthermal energy between the thermal retainer and the conditioning fluid.Likewise, the usable fluid pipe is adapted to carry a usable fluidtherethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between thethermal retainer and the usable fluid. In one embodiment, theconditioning pipe and cooperating usable fluid pipe of a given modularthermal unit are collectively defined by a single pipe.

The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units areconfigured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermalenergy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers.The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another,such that conditioning fluid is capable of passing sequentially througheach of the conditioning pipes of the modular thermal energy transfersystem, thereby allowing thermal exchange between the conditioning fluidand each of the thermal retainers. Likewise, the usable fluid pipes arein fluidic communication with one another, such that usable fluid iscapable of passing sequentially through each of the usable fluid pipesof the modular thermal energy transfer system, thereby allowing thermalexchange between the usable fluid and each of the thermal retainers.

In some embodiments, a thermal generating member, such as an electricalheating element, is disposed within each thermal retainer. The thermalgenerating member provides thermal energy exchange between the thermalretainer and the thermal generating member to accomplish thermalconditioning of the thermal retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description of the invention readtogether with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the modular thermalenergy transfer system of the present invention and depicting severalfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modular thermal unit of themodular thermal energy transfer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the modular thermal units of themodular thermal energy transfer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the conditioning pipes and the usable fluidpipes of the upper tier of modular thermal units of the modular thermalenergy transfer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the conditioning pipes and the usable fluidpipes of the lower tier of modular thermal units of the modular thermalenergy transfer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a modular thermalunit, depicting a schematic illustration of heat transfer between thethermal retainer and fluids within the pipes;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a modularthermal unit, depicting a schematic illustration of heat transferbetween the thermal retainer and fluids within the pipes;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the modular thermal energy transfer system ofFIG. 1 which includes a schematic illustration of a fluid pump, thermalexchanger, usable fluid source, and user;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of a modular thermal energytransfer system, showing a housing and insulation surrounding themodular thermal units;

FIG. 10 a is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a modularthermal unit, depicting a schematic illustration of heat transferbetween the thermal retainer and the thermal generating members;

FIG. 10 b is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modularthermal unit, depicting a schematic illustration of a helically wouldthermal generating member within a thermal retainer;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the modular thermal energy transfer system ofFIG. 1 which includes a schematic illustration of a solar water heater,usable fluid source, and user;

FIG. 12 is another embodiment of the modular thermal energy transfersystem including a schematic illustration of a solar water heater,usable fluid source, and user.

FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a modular thermal energy transfersystem, showing a housing including a plurality of spacers configuredbetween the modular thermal units;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the modularthermal energy transfer system of FIG. 13, together with a simplifiedschematic illustration of one configuration of a thermal exchangesystem;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the modularthermal energy transfer system of FIG. 13, together with a simplifiedschematic illustration of another configuration of a thermal exchangesystem;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the modularthermal energy transfer system of FIG. 10 b, together with a simplifiedschematic illustration of another configuration of a thermal exchangesystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular thermal energy transfer systemfor collecting and/or supplying thermal energy during a first timeframe, for retaining at least a portion of the thermal energy until asecond time frame, and for transferring at least a portion of thethermal energy to a usable fluid during the second time frame. Morespecifically, the present invention provides a modular apparatus fortransferring thermal energy between a first fluid and a medium, and/orsupplying thermal energy and transferring the generated thermal energyto the medium, to create a temperature differential in the medium,maintaining the temperature differential in the medium, and applying thetemperature differential to a second fluid to change the temperature inthe second fluid.

A perspective view of one embodiment of the modular thermal energytransfer system constructed in accordance with the various features ofthe present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. Themodular thermal energy transfer system, or system 10, includes aplurality of thermal modules 12. Referring to FIG. 2, each thermalmodule 12 includes a thermal retainer 14, and at least one pipe fortransferring a fluid through the thermal retainer 14 to allow transferof thermal energy between the thermal retainer 14 and the at least onepipe. In the illustrated embodiment, a conditioning pipe 16 fortransferring a conditioning fluid through the thermal retainer 14 duringa first time frame, and a usable fluid pipe 18 for transferring usablefluid through the thermal retainer 14 during a second time frame, areprovided. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal retainer 14 isdefined by a substantially prismatic volume having a substantiallyelongated dimension 15, which is constructed of a material having arelatively high thermal mass as compared to the remainder of the system10. For example, in one embodiment, the thermal retainer 14 isfabricated from a composite stone material such as concrete. In anotherembodiment, the thermal retainer 14 is fabricated from portland cement.In another embodiment, the thermal retainer 14 is fabricated from stone.Each thermal retainer 14 defines a pair of substantially parallelthrough openings 17 a, 17 b extending generally along the substantiallyelongated dimension 15 of the thermal retainer 14. A first throughopening 17 a is keyed to and carries the conditioning pipe 16 therein,and a second through opening 17 b is keyed to and carries the usablefluid pipe 18 therein such that the longitudinal axes of the pipes 16,18 are substantially parallel with the elongated dimension of thethermal retainer 14. The conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe18 are each dimensioned such that the pipes 16, 18 each extend at thelength of the elongated dimension 15 of the thermal retainer 14. In theillustrated embodiment, the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluidpipe 18 each extend slightly beyond the thermal retainer 14 to allow foradditional pipes to be connected to the conditioning pipe 16 and theusable fluid pipe 18 as will be discussed further below. The thermalretainer 14 maintains at least intimate contact with the conditioningpipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 and, in certain more discreetembodiments, establishes a connection with each of the pipes 16, 18 tosecure the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 within thethermal retainer openings 17 a, 17 b. In one embodiment, the thermalretainer 14 establishes a frictional connection with each of the pipes16, 18. In another embodiment, the pipes 16, 18 are bonded within thethermal retainer 14. In another embodiment, the thermal retainer 14 isfabricated from a cement material which is poured into a form having thepipes 16, 18 suspended therein, such that the cement material cures toform the thermal retainer 14 having the pipes 16, 18 carried therein.Those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable means forestablishing a connection between the thermal retainer 14 and the pipes16, 18, and such means may be used without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Both the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 are adaptedto conduct thermal energy between the thermal retainer 14 and fluidtravelling through the pipes 16, 18. To this end, both the conditioningpipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 are constructed from a thermallyconductive material, such as copper or other thermally conductive metal.It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that otherthermally conductive materials exist which are suitable for fabricationof the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18, and suchmaterials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. As will be further discussed below, the variousconditioning pipes 16 of the system 10 cooperate to transfer aconditioning fluid 46 (see FIG. 6) through each of the thermal retainers14 in order to conduct thermal energy between the conditioning fluid 46and the thermal retainers 14 during a first time frame, thereby shiftingthe temperature of the thermal retainers 14 toward the temperature ofthe conditioning fluid 46.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of thermal modules 12 formingthe modular thermal energy transfer system 10 are adapted to bepositioned proximate one another, such that thermal energy may beconducted between substantially adjacent thermal retainers 14. Inseveral embodiments, the cross-section of each thermal module 12, asdefined by the perpendicular of the elongated dimension 15, is shapedsuch that each thermal module 12 is stackable proximate an adjacentthermal module 12 with the elongated dimension of adjacent thermalmodules 12 extending substantially parallel to one another. To thisextent, in the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 includes nine (9)thermal modules 12, each having a thermal retainer 14 defining arectangular prismatic volume. Each thermal module 12 is positioned in asubstantially rectangular array with respect to adjacent thermal modules12 such that each thermal module 12 maintains at least intimate contactwith adjacent modules 12. In the illustrated embodiment, each thermalretainer 14 defines a right rectangular prism, and each thermal module12 is positioned with the elongated dimension 15 of the thermal retainer14 extending at the elongated dimension 15 of adjacent thermal retainers14, such that the modular thermal energy transfer system 10 defines ablock contour. In a preferred embodiment, a sufficient number ofadjacent thermal retainers 14 are provided such that the modular thermalenergy transfer system 10 defines a cube shape. However, it should benoted that the number of thermal modules 12 employed by the system 10can vary without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentinvention. Additionally, it should be noted that the thermal retainers14 can define numerous shapes, such as oblique prismatic shapes andnon-prismatic shapes, or can have a cross-sectional shape other thanthat of a rectangle, without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the system 10 of FIG. 1, showingvarious pipes 16, 18 of the top tier of thermal retainers 14 of thesystem 10, while FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the system 10 of FIG.1, showing various pipes 16, 18 of the bottom tier of thermal retainers14 of the system 10. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of theconditioning pipes 16 of the plurality of thermal modules 12 isdesignated a conditioning intake pipe 20, and at least another of theconditioning pipes 16 of the plurality of thermal modules 12 isdesignated a conditioning outlet pipe 22. Each of the conditioning pipes16 of the plurality of thermal modules 12 is in fluidic communicationwith another conditioning pipe 16 via a plurality of conditioning fluidjoining pipes 24, such that there is uninterrupted fluidic communicationbetween the conditioning intake pipe 20 and the conditioning outlet pipe22 by way of the remainder of the conditioning pipes 16. In theillustrated embodiment, a conditioning fluid input 26 is in fluidiccommunication with a first end 28 of the conditioning intake pipe 20. Asecond end 30 of the conditioning intake pipe 20 is connected in fluidiccommunication with a first conditioning fluid joining pipe 24 a, whichis in turn connected in fluidic communication with a second end 32 of afirst conditioning pipe 16 a disposed within an adjacent thermal module12. The first end 34 of the first conditioning pipe 16 a is connected influidic communication with a second conditioning fluid joining pipe 24b, which is in turn connected in fluidic communication with the firstend 36 of a second conditioning pipe 16 b disposed within an adjacentthermal module 12. Each of the various conditioning pipes 16 are joinedin fluidic communication with one another in like manner through similarconditioning fluid joining pipes 24 until ultimately, as shown in FIG.5, a final conditioning fluid joining pipe 24 x is provided to join afinal conditioning pipe 16 x in fluidic communication with a first end38 of the conditioning outlet pipe 22. In the illustrated embodiment, asecond end 39 of the conditioning outlet pipe 22 is in fluidcommunication with a conditioning fluid output 28. In thisconfiguration, a conditioning fluid 46 is capable of passing from theconditioning fluid input 26 through the conditioning intake pipe 20 andsequentially through each of the conditioning pipes 16 and cooperatingconditioning fluid joining pipes 24 before passing through theconditioning outlet pipe 22 to the conditioning fluid output 28.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in use of the system 10, a conditioningfluid 46 is passed through the various conditioning pipes 16 of thesystem 10 during a first time frame. The conditioning fluid 46 is afluid having a temperature which is generally desirable for conditioninga usable fluid 48, but which is also different from the temperature ofthe ambient environment of the system 10. As the conditioning fluid 46moves through the various conditioning pipes 16, conduction of thermalenergy 50 through the conditioning pipes 16 occurs between theconditioning fluid 46 and the thermal retainers 14, thereby promoting astate of thermal equilibrium between the conditioning fluid 46 and thethermal retainers 14. As this thermal exchange approaches thermalequilibrium, the collective average temperature of the thermal retainers14 is shifted toward the temperature of the conditioning fluid 46. Inthis manner, the average temperature of the thermal retainers 14 isaltered from the temperature of the ambient environment of the system 10toward approximately the temperature of the conditioning fluid 46 duringthe first time frame, thereby creating a thermal energy differentialbetween the thermal retainers 14 and the ambient environment of thesystem 10. Likewise, as the conditioning fluid 46 passes through theconditioning pipes 16, the temperature of the conditioning fluid 46 isshifted toward the collective average temperature of the thermalretainers 14, thereby placing the conditioning fluid 46 in a spentcondition. Thereafter, the spent conditioning fluid is transferredthrough the conditioning fluid outlet pipe 22 and out of the thermalmodules 12.

It will be understood that the conditioning fluid 46 can be either afluid hotter than the thermal retainer 14 or a fluid colder than thethermal retainer 14. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, theconditioning fluid 46 is a heated fluid such that when the conditioningfluid 46 passes through the conditioning pipes 16 of the thermal modules12, thermal energy 50 is transferred to and retained by the thermalretainers 14 from the conditioning fluid, thereby heating the thermalretainers 14. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the conditioningfluid 46 is a cooled fluid such that when the conditioning fluid passesthrough the conditioning pipes 16 of the thermal modules 12, thermalenergy 50 is transferred from the thermal retainers 14 to theconditioning fluid 46, thereby cooling the thermal retainers 14. It willbe understood that numerous substances exist which are suitable for useas the conditioning fluid 46, such as for example, water, anti-freeze,oil, and the like, and such substances may be used as such withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Themodular thermal energy transfer system 10 can utilize a liquidconditioning fluid 46 supplied from an independent source, such as,among other things, a water heater, a water refrigerator, refrigerantlines from a heat pump, heated or cooled liquid from a heat exchanger,or any hot or cold waste liquid from an independent apparatus. It shouldbe noted that the conditioning fluid 46 can be supplied by independentsources other than those listed above without departing from the scopeor spirit of the present invention. The system 10 can also utilize aliquid conditioning fluid 46 supplied from the system 10 itself, as willbe discussed in further detail below. In another embodiment, theconditioning fluid is a gas, such as air. As with a liquid conditioningfluid 46, a gaseous conditioning fluid can be supplied by a sourceindependent of the system 10 or can be supplied by the system 10.However, it will be understood that the amount of thermal energy 50transferred by a gaseous conditioning fluid is governed by thetemperature of the conditioning fluid and/or the pressure of theconditioning fluid within the conditioning pipe 16. To this extent, inone embodiment, the conditioning fluid comprises a compressed gas.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the amount ofthermal energy 50 storable by the thermal retainers 14 per unit ofvolume of the thermal retainers 14 is generally governed by the thermalmass of the thermal retainers 14, as well as a unit of measurement ofthe various materials comprising the system 10 called the “storagefigure of merit” or “SFM,” which is the product of the material'sspecific heat and its density. In several embodiments, the specific heatof each of the thermal retainers 14 is less than the specific heat ofthe conditioning fluid 46, however, the material comprising the thermalretainers 14 is more dense than the conditioning fluid 46, such that theSFM of the thermal retainers 14 is similar to the SFM of theconditioning fluid 46. In one embodiment in which the conditioning fluid46 is water having an SFM of approximately 62.4 BTU/(ft³° F.), thethermal retainers 14 are fabricated from a portland cement having aspecific heat of approximately 0.37 BTU/(lb ° F.) and a density ofapproximately 170-190 lbs/ft³. In another embodiment, the thermalretainers 14 are fabricated from a material having a SFM greater than orequal to approximately 40 BTU/(ft³° F.), and more preferably, between40-50 BTU/(ft³° F.). It will be understood that, because the system 10is comprised of the plurality of thermal modules 12, the ultimate sizeof the system 10, and therefore the ultimate collective volume of thethermal retainers 14 and the ultimate thermal mass of the thermalretainers 14, is adjustable and governed by the number of thermalmodules 12 employed. Accordingly, the size of the modular thermal energytransfer system 10 can be adjusted to cooperate with a given site, suchas a site where a hot water heater and/or air conditioning unit would bekept. Additionally, because the system 10 is modular, the system 10 isadapted to be constructed on site such that the manufacture andtransportation of the system 10 is eased.

The system 10 creates a thermal energy differential in the thermalretainers 14 by altering the average temperature of the thermalretainers 14 as discussed above within a first time frame. In severalembodiments, the system 10 is adapted to supply conditioning fluid 46 tothe conditioning pipes 16 such that the system 10 is autonomous. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the conditioning fluidinput 26 and the conditioning fluid output 28 are in fluidiccommunication with a fluid pump 34 and a thermal exchanger 33. The fluidpump 34 is adapted to circulate conditioning fluid 46 between thethermal exchanger 33 and the conditioning pipes 16 of the thermalmodules 12. In one embodiment, the flow rate of conditioning fluid 46supplied by the fluid pump 34 is selectively adjustable. It will beunderstood that the flow rate of the conditioning fluid 46 through theconditioning pipes 16 generally governs the rate thermal energy 50 istransferred through the conditioning pipes 16 between the conditioningfluid 46 and the thermal retainers 14 within the system 10. For example,in a configuration in which the flow rate of the conditioning fluid 46through the conditioning pipes 16 is relatively low, the rate ofconduction of thermal energy between the conditioning fluid 46 and thethermal retainers 14 is also relatively low. Conversely, in aconfiguration in which the flow rate of the conditioning fluid 46 isrelatively high, the rate of thermal energy transfer between theconditioning fluid 46 and the thermal retainers 14 is increased. In amore discreet embodiment, the thermal exchanger 33 is integrally formedwith the fluid pump 34, such that the fluid pump 34 is adapted to heator cool the conditioning fluid 46 to further control the thermal energydifferential created in the thermal retainers 14. While the abovedescription explains the rate that thermal energy is transferred fromthe conditioning fluid to the thermal retainers is governed by the flowrate of the conditioning fluid, it will be recognized by those skilledin the art that heat transferred from the thermal retainers to theusable fluid is also governed by the flow rate of the usable fluid. Asuitable means of flow rate adjustment could be applied to the usablefluid to control the rate of heat transfer from the thermal retainers tothe usable fluid, and by extension the rate of heat transferred to anapparatus utilizing the usable fluid.

As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the thermalretainers 14 substantially maintain a thermal energy differential untilthe second time frame, whereupon the thermal energy differential isapplied to a usable fluid 48. During the second time frame, the varioususable fluid pipes 18 of the modular thermal energy transfer system 10cooperate to transfer usable fluid 48 through each of the thermalretainers 14 in order to conduct thermal energy 50 between the usablefluid 48 and the thermal retainers 14, thereby shifting the temperatureof the usable fluid 48 toward the temperature of the thermal retainers14. Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the usable fluidpipes 18 of the plurality of thermal modules 12 is designated a usablefluid intake pipe 40 and at least another of the usable fluid pipes 18is designated a usable fluid outlet pipe 42. Each of the usable fluidpipes 18 of the plurality of thermal modules 12 are in fluidiccommunication with one another via a plurality of usable fluid joiningpipes 56, such that there is uninterrupted fluidic communication betweenthe usable fluid intake 40 and the usable fluid outlet 42 by way of theremainder of the usable fluid pipes 18. A usable fluid input 44 is influidic communication with a first end 52 of the usable fluid intakepipe 40. A second end 54 of the usable fluid intake pipe 40 is connectedin fluidic communication with a first usable fluid joining pipe 56 a,which is in turn connected in fluidic communication with a second end 58of a first usable fluid pipe 18 a disposed within an adjacent thermalmodule 12. A first end 60 of the first usable fluid pipe 18 a isconnected in fluidic communication with a second usable fluid joiningpipe 56 b, which is in turn connected in fluidic communication with thefirst end 62 of a second usable fluid pipe 18 b disposed within anadjacent thermal module 12. Each of the various usable fluid pipes 18are joined in fluidic communication with one another in like mannerthrough similar usable fluid joining pipes 56 until ultimately, as shownin FIG. 5, a final joining pipe 56 x is provided to join a final usablefluid pipe 18 x in fluidic communication with a first end 64 of theusable fluid outlet pipe 42. In the illustrated embodiment, a second end66 of the usable fluid outlet pipe 42 is in fluid communication with ausable fluid output 68. In this configuration, the usable fluid 48 iscapable of passing through the usable fluid input 44 to the usable fluidintake pipe 40, sequentially through each the usable fluid pipes 18 andcooperating usable fluid joining pipes 56, through the usable fluidoutlet pipe 42, and through the usable fluid output 68.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 through 8, a usable fluid 48, such as potablewater, is introduced to the modular thermal energy transfer system 10from a usable fluid source 47 by way of the usable fluid input 44. Asthe usable fluid 48 passes through the thermal modules 12, thermalenergy 50 is conducted between the thermal retainer 14 and the usablefluid 48 through the usable fluid pipes 18, thus altering thetemperature of the usable fluid 48 from an initial temperature to afinal temperature. As a result, the usable fluid 48 passing through theusable fluid output pipe 32 is thermally conditioned. Thereafter, theconditioned usable fluid is transferred through the usable fluid outletpipe 42, through the usable fluid output 68, and ultimately, to a user49. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the usable fluid 48 is a coolfluid such that when the usable fluid 48 passes through the usable fluidpipes 18 of the thermal modules 12, thermal energy 50 is transferredfrom the heated thermal retainers 14 to the usable fluid 48, therebyheating the usable fluid 48. Conversely, in the embodiment of FIG. 7,the usable fluid 48 is a warm fluid such that when the usable fluid 48passes through the usable fluid pipes 18 of the thermal modules 12,thermal energy 50 is transferred from the usable fluid 48 to the cooledthermal retainer 14, thereby cooling the usable fluid.

It will be understood that, in conditions in which the various fluids inthe system 10 are not undergoing a phase change, the rate at which heatis transferred between the various fluids in the system 10 and thethermal retainers 14, represented by dq/dt is estimated by the followingequation:

$\frac{q}{t} = {\lbrack {( {T_{ic} - T_{if}} )( \frac{m}{t} )( C_{pf} )} \rbrack - {\quad{\lbrack ( \frac{( {T_{ic} - T_{if}} )( \frac{m}{t} )^{2}( C_{pf} )^{2}}{{(A)(h)} + {( \frac{m}{t} )( C_{pf} )}} ) \rbrack ^{\lbrack{{({\frac{{(\frac{m}{t})}^{2}{(C_{pf})}^{2}}{{{(A)}{(h)}} + {{(\frac{m}{t})}{(C_{pf})}}} - {{(\frac{m}{t})}{(C_{pf})}}})}\frac{t}{{(M_{c})}{(C_{pc})}}}\rbrack}}}}$

whereby, T_(ic) represents the initial temperature of the thermalretainers 14, T_(if) represents the initial temperature of the fluidupon entering the system 10,

$\frac{m}{t}$

represents the flow rate of the fluid through the thermal modules 12,C_(pf) represents the specific heat of the fluid, C_(pc) represents thespecific heat of the thermal retainers, h represents the thermal energytransfer coefficient, A represents the surface area of the pipingthrough which the fluid flows, and M_(c) represents the mass of thethermal retainers 14. Thus, the final temperature of the fluid T_(uf)upon exiting the system 10 is estimated by the following equation:

$T_{uf} = {\frac{\frac{q}{t}}{( \frac{m}{t} )( C_{pf} )} + T_{if}}$

Referring now to FIG. 9, in one embodiment the system 10 includes anexterior housing 70 substantially enclosing the thermal modules 12 andthe various joining pipes 24. The housing 70 serves to protect thethermal modules 12 and the various joining pipes 24, 56 fromenvironmental elements, and also serves to limit thermal energy exchangebetween the various components of the system 10 and the ambientenvironment, thereby improving the ability of the thermal retainers 14to maintain the thermal energy differential imparted to them by theconditioning fluid 46. In one embodiment, the housing 70 is manufacturedfrom a thermally insulative material, such as wood, fiberglass, or othersuch insulative material. In the illustrated embodiment, insulation 72,such as fiberglass insulation of the type commonly used in buildinginsulation, is disposed within the housing 70 between the housing 70 andthe thermal modules 12 to further insulate the thermal retainers 14against thermal energy transfer between the system 10 and the ambientenvironment, thereby further improving the ability of the thermalretainers 14 to maintain a thermal energy differential with the ambientenvironment.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, a thermal energy supply isprovided to the thermal modules 12 such that the thermal modules 12gather thermal energy from sources within the system 10 other than theconditioning fluid 46. In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, atleast one thermal generating member 23 is provided in thermalcommunication with each thermal retainer 14. Each thermal generatingmember 23 is configured to provide thermal energy to a cooperatingthermal retainer 14. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10 a, eachthermal generating member 23 is defined by a length of copper wirecarried within a cooperating thermal retainer 14 and extending along thelength of the thermal retainer 14. In this embodiment, each of thethermal generating members 23 is adapted to be placed in electricalcommunication with an electrical power source (not shown). For example,in the embodiment of FIG. 10 a, two thermal generating members 23 areprovided. In this embodiment, one thermal generating member 23 isadapted to be placed in electrical communication with a photovoltaicelectricity generator, while the other thermal generating member 23 isadapted to be placed in electrical communication with a standardresidential electric grid. The electrical power source is configured tosupply electric current to each of the thermal generating members 23,whereupon the electrical resistance of the copper wires to the electriccurrent results in conversion of electric current to thermal energy. Inthis way, the thermal generating members 23 act to supply thermal energyto the thermal retainers 14. In a preferred embodiment, the thermalgenerating members 23 exhibit a greater electrical resistance than theapparatus connecting the thermal generating member 23 to each other andto the power source, such that the portions of the electrical circuitbetween the power source and the thermal retainer 14 generate lessthermal energy than the portions of the thermal generating members 23located within the thermal retainer 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10 b, a plurality of usable fluid pipes 18 areprovided for each thermal retainer 14. In this embodiment, a singlethermal generating member 23 is provided, with a portion of the thermalgenerating member 23 extending through the thermal retainer 14substantially parallel to the usable fluid pipes 18, and another portionof the thermal generating member 23 extending along the thermal retainerin a helical shape along the parallel portion of the thermal generatingmember 23.

It will be understood that the system 10 of the present invention may beplaced in any of several configurations employing various components forcollecting, generating and/or transferring thermal energy to allow thesystem 10 to collect and/or generate thermal energy during a first timeframe, to retain at least a portion of the thermal energy until a secondtime frame, and to transferring at least a portion of the thermal energyto a usable fluid during the second time frame, as discussed above. Byway of example, FIG. 11 illustrates one application of one embodiment ofthe system 10 of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 11,the usable fluid 48 is potable water from a potable water source 76, andthe usable fluid output pipe 42 serves as a potable water supply for auser 49, such as for example, a residence. The conditioning fluid 46 isheated water, such as water which has been heated in a solar waterheater 78. The solar water heater 78 is configured to heat water and totransfer the heated water through the conditioning fluid pipes 18 tocondition the thermal retainers 14 as discussed above. In oneapplication, the system 10 is adapted to gather thermal energy fromheated water produced by the solar water heater 78 during a non-peakperiod for a given electrical grid and to transfer at least a portion ofthe gathered thermal energy to the potable water during a peak periodwithout drawing additional electricity from the electrical grid duringthe peak period.

FIG. 12 illustrates another application of one embodiment of the system10. As shown in FIG. 12, a solar water heater 78 is provided which isadapted to heat both the usable fluid 46 and the conditioning fluid 48such that solar generated thermal energy is transferred to the thermalretainers 14 of the system 10 by both the usable fluid 46 and theconditioning fluid 48 during a first time period, such as a period ofabundantly available solar energy. During a second time period, such asa period when the solar water heater 78 is not exposed to abundant solarenergy, such as during the night or when the sky is overcast, the system10 provides thermal energy stored within the thermal retainers 14 to theusable fluid 48 in accordance with the above discussion. Thus, thesystem 10 is adapted to shift energy demand from a system using solarenergy to heat water from a peak period to a non-peak period. Becausethe system 10 gathers the thermal energy during a first time frame, suchas a non-peak period, and transfers the thermal energy to the usablefluid 48 during the second time frame, such as a peak period, the system10 reduces the burden of energy demand during the peak period, therebyreducing cost for an energy consumer implementing the system 10.

In other embodiments, the system 10 is adapted to shift demand forelectricity to cool air during a peak period. In one embodiment, theusable fluid is air which is circulated throughout a structure, such asa residence, while the conditioning fluid is cool water, such as coolpotable water from a municipal water supply. As the cool potable wateris directed through the conditioning pipes during a non-peak period fora given electrical grid, thermal energy transfers from the thermalretainers 14 to the potable water, thereby cooling the thermal retainers14 and at least partially warming the potable water during the non-peakperiod. It will be understood that the at least partially warmed potablewater may be thereafter directed to an apparatus for additional warming,such as a water heater, whereby the at least partial warming of thepotable water by the system 10 allows for more efficient warming of thepotable water with less energy expended by the warming apparatus.Thereafter, during a peak period for electricity to cool air, the airfrom the structure is directed through the usable fluid pipes 18,whereupon thermal energy transfers from the air to the cooled thermalretainers 14, thereby cooling the air without drawing additionalelectricity from the electrical grid during the peak period. It shouldbe noted that continual circulation of the conditioning fluid and theusable fluid through respective pipes 16, 18 of the system 10, andtherefore continual thermal energy transfer between the conditioningfluid, the thermal retainers 14, and the usable fluid is contemplated.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of themodular thermal energy transfer system 10 in accordance with the variousfeatures of the present invention. In this embodiment, the plurality ofthermal modules 12 is configured such that there is space betweenimmediately adjacent modules 12 to allow for simultaneous conditioningof a usable fluid 48 and an ambient fluid, such as air. As shown in FIG.13, a plurality of spacers 82 is provided, with at least one spacer 82positioned between each of the thermal modules 12 such that the thermalmodules 12 and the spacers 82 define at least one passageway 84sufficient for air to pass therethrough. Unconditioned air is drawnthrough the at least one passageway 84 by a fan, pump, or other meansreadily known in the art. Because each passageway 84 is at leastpartially defined by the thermal retainers 14, the thermal energyretained by the thermal retainers 14 is dissipated into each passageway84 such that air within each passageway is conditioned as it movesthrough the at least one passageway 84. In the illustrated embodiment,the modular thermal energy transfer system 10 includes a housing 70having an air inlet 88 and an air outlet 86. Unconditioned air is drawnfrom the air inlet 88, through the at least one passageway 84, andthereafter away from the system 10 by way of the air outlet 86. As theunconditioned air travels through the at least one passageway 84, atleast a portion of the thermal energy 50 retained by the thermalretainers 14 is dissipated into passageway 84 such that air within thepassageway 84 is conditioned. As a result, the air drawn from the system10 at the air outlet 86 is conditioned. Although the illustratedembodiment shows the plurality of spacers 82 positioned throughout thethermal modules 12 of the system 10 so as to space apart the thermalmodules 12 both vertically and horizontally, it should be noted that thespacers 82 can be arranged in numerous configurations proximate thethermal modules 12 to define the at least one passageway 84 withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Forexample, in one embodiment, the thermal modules 12 are arranged incolumns such that the at least one passageway 84 is defined between thecolumns.

FIG. 14 illustrates another application of one embodiment of the system10. As shown in FIG. 14, a heat pump 90 is provided in fluidcommunication with the various conditioning pipes 16. The heat pump 90serves to heat the conditioning fluid 46 circulating within theconditioning pipes 16, thereby transferring thermal energy to thethermal retainers 14 of the system 10 during a first time period, suchas a period when solar generated electricity is available or when amplesupply of electricity is available on an electrical grid to drive theheat pump 90. The usable fluid pipes 18 are in fluid communication witha heat delivery system 92, such as a radiant heat floor system, watersource heat pump, or other known heat delivery system 92. During asecond time period, such as when solar electricity is not available orwhen electricity from an electrical grid is in low supply, the thermalenergy stored within the thermal retainers 14 is transferred to the heatdelivery system 92 via the usable fluid 48. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 14, a pair of valves 94 is provided to divert flow ofthe conditioning fluid 46 provided by the heat pump 90 from the system10 to a heat exchanger 96, such as a water-to-air heat exchanger of thetype commonly used in residential heating systems. In anotherapplication, the heat pump 90 supplies air conditioning for theresidence by means of the heat exchanger 96.

Another application of one embodiment of the system 10 is illustrated inFIG. 15. In this embodiment, an air-to-water heat pump 98 is providedfluid communication with the various conditioning pipes 16. Theair-to-water heat pump 98 is provided to selectively add or removethermal energy to the conditioning fluid 46 circulating between theair-to-water heat pump 98 and the conditioning pipes 16 of the modularthermal units 12. The usable fluid pipes 18 of the system 10 are influid communication with a water-to-water heat pump 100, which is inturn in fluid communication with a water-to-air heat exchanger 102 ofthe type commonly used in residential heating and air-conditioningsystems. During periods of warm ambient temperature, the air-to-waterheat pump 98 is capable of being configured to remove thermal energyfrom the conditioning fluid 46, thereby creating a relatively coolcondition of the thermal retainers 14. During circulation of usablefluid 48 through the usable fluid pipes 18, the usable fluid 48 iscooled by the thermal retainers 14, thereby providing a source of coolfluid to the water-to-water heat pump 100. The water-to-air heatexchanger 102 is adapted to utilize the cool fluid circulated to thewater-to-water heat pump 100 to cool air to be used in air-conditioning.Conversely, during periods of cool ambient temperature, the air-to-waterheat pump 98 is capable of being configured to add thermal energy fromthe conditioning fluid 46, thereby creating a relatively warm conditionof the thermal retainers 14. During circulation of usable fluid 48through the usable fluid pipes 18, the usable fluid 48 is warmed by thethermal retainers 14, thereby providing a source of warm fluid to thewater-to-water heat pump 100. The water-to-air heat exchanger 102 isadapted to utilize the warm fluid circulated to the water-to-water heatpump 100 to heat air to be used in atmospheric heating. It will beunderstood that, while a water-to-water heat pump 100 is depicted in thepresent embodiment, other means of utilizing the usable fluid, forinstance, a water to air-heat pump, may be used without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that, in certain applications, the conditioningpipes 16 become usable fluid pipes 18. For example, the thermalgenerating members 23 provide thermal energy during a first time framefor conditioning the thermal retainer 14 during the first time frame.Thereafter, both pipes 16, 18 are configured to carry a usable fluid 48during a second time frame to condition the usable fluid 48 during thesecond time frame.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 16, each of the various pipes 16,18 in the system 10 is connected in fluid communication with one anotherand with a variable speed fluid pump 95. The thermal generating members23 provide thermal energy to the thermal retainers 14. The variablespeed fluid pump 95 circulates the usable fluid through the variouspipes 16, 18 to condition the usable fluid before it is transferred tothe heat exchanger 96. It will be recognized that a variable speed fluidpump is one of many methods for controlling the flow rate through thevarious pipes 16, 18 and that any suitable means of flow regulation maybe employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

It will be understood that, by utilizing the embodiment of FIG. 16 forstoring heat for later use, certain limitations of prior art air-to-airheat pumps are overcome. In a standard home heat pump installation, theheat pump is sized to the home's cooling load. The theoreticalcoefficient of performance (“COP”) of a heat pump is a function of theabsolute temperature of the evaporator and condenser coils. Thus, withair temperatures of approximately 40° F., a typical air-to-air heat pumpexhibits a COP of approximately 3.5, and serves as an effective heatingapparatus. However, certain prior art heat pumps are incapable ofdelivering an adequate supply of heat to the home when ambient airtemperatures drop significantly below 40° F. In such a situation, theprior art heat pump must rely on some form of auxiliary heat, typicallyin the form of electrical resistance heaters. Such operation ofelectrical resistance heaters in numerous homes in a given regioncreates undesirable peaks on the electrical distribution system duringthe time period in which ambient air temperatures are significantlybelow 40° F. However, the system 10 as shown in FIG. 16 serves to limitundesirable peaks on a given electrical distribution system by drawingelectrical energy from the grid during periods of low demand through thethermal generating members 23 to condition the thermal retainers 14during times of low electrical demand. The system 10 provides only thesupplemental heat that is necessary due to its ability to control therate at which heat is transferred from the thermal retainers 14 to theusable fluid. By controlling the flow rate of usable fluid through thesystem 10 and thereby the flow rate of fluid through the heat exchanger96, the limits in the amount of heat that is deliverable by a prior artheat pump is supplemented by thermal energy supplied to the air by theheat exchanger 96. While FIG. 16 depicts the thermal energy storagesystem providing supplemental heat for the air-to-air heat pump, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the system 10 may be used toprovide all the heat requirements of a residence in the absence of aheat pump or other heating apparatus. Additionally, while a simplifiedembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 16, it will be readily apparent fromthe previous descriptions of the various embodiments of the inventionthat a second usable pipe may be employed to provide hot water for theresidence.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognizethat a modular thermal energy transfer system for generating thermalenergy during a first time frame, for retaining the thermal energy untila second time frame, and for transferring the thermal energy to a usablefluid during the second time frame offering advantages over the priorart has been provided. More specifically, the system is adapted toutilize a conditioning fluid to provide the thermal energy during anon-peak period, to retain the thermal energy within a concretestructure, and to transfer the thermal energy to the usable fluid duringa peak period, a peak period being a period of time when the utilizedelectrical grid has an increased demand for delivering electricity. Itwill be understood that the system may be used in a variety ofconfigurations, such as for example, as a substitute for typical groundloop components of a ground source heat pump. The modular configurationof the system allows for ease of access to the various system componentsfor purposes of maintenance and/or replacement.

It will further be understood that the system may be used in aload-shifting capacity, wherein the thermal retainers of the system areheated during non-peak electrical usage hours, and where in the systemprovides an alternate source of thermal energy during periods of peakelectrical usage. By moving heating demands to non-peak electrical usagetimes, a base load power plant is capable of supplying cool air to airconditioning equipment during warm periods and creating cool temperaturedifferentials within the system for storage during cool periods.Conversely, utilizing the system, a base load power plant is capable ofsupplying electricity for warming air to heating equipment during coolperiods and delivering energy to the system for storage during warmperiods. Because the thermal energy dissipated in a fixed electricalresistance increases as a function of the square of the current passingthrough the fixed resistance, load shifting the electrical energy demandfor heating purposes further reduces transmission losses and reduces themaximum current needed in a given electrical grid. Moreover, by storingheat for later use, the system allows a heat pump having a reducedheating capacity, and therefore a greater efficiency, to be employed fora given building's heating needs.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofseveral embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broaderaspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

1. A modular thermal energy transfer system for transferring a thermalenergy differential from a conditioning fluid, storing the thermalenergy differential, and dissipating at least a portion of the thermalenergy differential to thermally condition a usable fluid, said modularthermal energy transfer system comprising: a plurality of modularthermal units, each of said modular thermal units having: a thermalretainer having a volume defining a first through opening and a secondthrough opening; a conditioning pipe disposed within said first throughopening, said conditioning pipe being adapted to carry the conditioningfluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and saidconditioning fluid; and a usable fluid pipe disposed within said secondthrough opening, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to carry a usablefluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and saidusable fluid; wherein each said thermal retainer is positionableproximate at least one other thermal retainer such that thermal energyis transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers,wherein each said conditioning pipe is in fluidic communication with atleast one other conditioning pipe, and wherein each said usable fluidpipe is in fluidic communication with at least one other usable fluidpipe.
 2. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, eachsaid thermal retainer being fabricated from a material having a densitygreater than the density of the usable fluid and the conditioning fluid.3. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each saidthermal retainer defining a substantially elongated dimension, each saidfirst and second through openings being configured along said elongateddimension of said corresponding thermal retainer.
 4. The modular thermalenergy transfer system of claim 3, wherein each said thermal retainer isstackable adjacent at least one other thermal retainer.
 5. The modularthermal energy transfer system of claim 4, each said thermal retainerdefining a substantially elongated rectangular prism, wherein each saidthermal retainer is stackable adjacent at least one other thermalretainer along said elongated dimension to form a block configuration.6. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 5, said modularthermal energy transfer system further comprising a substantiallyinsulative housing, each of said plurality of modular thermal unitsbeing arranged in said block configuration within said housing.
 7. Themodular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each saidconditioning pipe having a diameter sized to maintain at least intimatecontact along an inner surface of said first through opening of saidcorresponding thermal retainer, each said usable fluid pipe having adiameter sized to maintain at least intimate contact along an innersurface of said second through opening of said corresponding thermalretainer.
 8. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 7, eachsaid conditioning pipe being cemented along an inner surface of saidfirst through opening of said corresponding thermal retainer, each saidusable fluid pipe being cemented along an inner surface of said secondthrough opening of said corresponding thermal retainer.
 9. The modularthermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each said modular thermalunit further comprising a thermal generating member disposed to maintainat least intimate contact with said thermal retainer, each said thermalgenerating member being configured to provide thermal energy to saidcooperating thermal retainer.
 10. The modular thermal energy transfersystem of claim 1 wherein each said thermal retainer is fabricated fromportland cement.
 11. A modular thermal energy transfer system fortransferring a thermal energy differential from a conditioning fluid,storing the thermal energy differential, and dissipating at least aportion of the thermal energy differential to thermally condition ausable fluid, said modular thermal energy transfer system comprising: ahousing having a conditioning fluid input, a conditioning fluid output,a usable fluid input, and a usable fluid output; a plurality of modularthermal units disposed within said housing, each of said modular thermalunits having: a conditioning pipe adapted to carry a conditioning fluid;a usable fluid pipe disposed substantially along said conditioning pipe,said usable fluid pipe being adapted to carry a usable fluid; and athermal retainer having a greater thermal mass than said conditioningpipe and said usable fluid pipe, said thermal retainer substantiallysurrounding said conditioning pipe and said usable fluid pipe, saidconditioning pipe being adapted to transfer thermal energy between saidthermal retainer and said conditioning fluid, said usable fluid pipebeing adapted to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainerand said usable fluid; a plurality of first joining pipes, each of saidconditioning pipes being joined to another of said conditioning pipes byat least one of said first joining pipes, and a plurality of secondjoining pipes, each of said usable fluid pipes being joined to anotherof said usable fluid pipes by at least one of said second joining pipes;wherein at least one of said conditioning pipes is in fluidcommunication with said conditioning fluid intake and at least one otherof said conditioning pipes is in fluid communication with saidconditioning fluid output, and wherein at least one of said usable fluidpipes is in fluid communication with said usable fluid intake and atleast one other of said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communicationwith said usable fluid output.
 12. The modular thermal energy transfersystem of claim 11 further including an insulation disposed between saidhousing and said plurality of modular thermal units, said insulationcomprising a fiberglass material.
 13. The modular thermal energytransfer system of claim 11, each said thermal retainer defining asubstantially elongated dimension, each said conditioning pipe and saidusable fluid pipe being configured along said elongated dimension ofsaid corresponding thermal retainer.
 14. The modular thermal energytransfer system of claim 13 wherein each said thermal retainer isfabricated from portland cement.
 15. The modular thermal energy transfersystem of claim 14, each said modular thermal unit further comprising athermal generating member in thermal communication with said thermalretainer, each said thermal generating member being in electricalcommunication with an electrical power source, said electrical powersource being configured to supply electric current to said thermalgenerating members to generate thermal energy within said thermalgenerating members.
 16. The modular thermal energy transfer system ofclaim 15 further including a pump in fluid connection with saidconditioning fluid input, said pump being configured to moveconditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipes.
 17. Themodular thermal energy transfer system of claim 16 wherein the rate offlow of conditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipesis selectively adjustable, thereby regulating heat transfer to saidmodular thermal unit.
 18. The modular thermal energy transfer system ofclaim 11, each said modular thermal unit further comprising a thermalgenerating member in thermal communication with said thermal retainer,each said thermal generating member being in electrical communicationwith an electrical power source, said electrical power source beingconfigured to supply electric current to said thermal generating membersto generate thermal energy within said thermal generating members. 19.The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 18 further includinga pump in fluid connection with said conditioning fluid input, said pumpbeing configured to move conditioning fluid through said plurality ofconditioning pipes.
 20. The modular thermal energy transfer system ofclaim 19 wherein the rate of flow of conditioning fluid through saidplurality of conditioning pipes is selectively adjustable.
 21. Themodular thermal energy transfer system of claim 20 further including apump in fluid communication with said usable fluid input, said pumpbeing configured to move usable fluid through said plurality of usablefluid pipes.
 22. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 21wherein the rate of flow of usable fluid through said plurality ofusable pipes is selectively adjustable, thereby regulating heat transferfrom said modular thermal unit.
 23. A modular thermal energy transfersystem for transferring a thermal energy differential from a fluidduring a first time frame, storing the thermal energy differential, anddissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy differential tothermally condition a usable fluid during a second time frame, saidmodular thermal energy transfer system comprising: a housing having atleast one usable fluid input and at least one usable fluid output; aplurality of modular thermal units disposed within said housing, each ofsaid modular thermal units having: a thermal retainer having a volumedefining at least one through opening; a usable fluid pipe disposedwithin said through opening, said usable fluid pipe being adapted tocarry a usable fluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermalretainer and said usable fluid, said thermal retainer having a greaterthermal mass that said usable fluid pipe, said thermal retainersubstantially surrounding said usable fluid pipe, said usable fluid pipebeing adapted to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainerand said usable fluid pipe; and a plurality of first joining pipes, eachof said usable fluid pipes being joined to another of said usable fluidpipes by at least one of said first joining pipes; wherein at least oneof said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communication with a usable fluidintake and at least one other of said usable fluid pipes is in fluidcommunication with a usable fluid output, and wherein each said thermalretainer is positionable proximate at least one other thermal retainersuch that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacentthermal retainers, wherein each said pipe is in fluidic communicationwith at least one other pipe.
 24. The modular thermal energy transfersystem of claim 23 further including an insulation disposed between saidhousing and said plurality of modular thermal units.
 25. The modularthermal energy transfer system of claim 24, each said thermal retainerdefining a substantially elongated dimension, each said usable fluidpipe configured along said elongated dimension of said correspondingthermal retainer.
 26. The modular thermal energy transfer system ofclaim 25, wherein each said thermal retainer is fabricated from portlandcement.
 27. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 26, eachsaid modular thermal unit further comprising a thermal generating memberin thermal communication with said thermal retainer, each said thermalgenerating member being in electrical communication with an electricalpower source, said electrical power source being configured to supplyelectric current to said thermal generating members to generate thermalenergy within said thermal generating members.
 28. The modular thermalenergy transfer system of claim 27, wherein the rate of flow of usablefluid through said plurality of usable fluid pipes is selectivelyadjustable, thereby regulating heat transfer from said modular thermalunit.